Social Impact & Mental Health - One out of four individuals in Gen Z are diagnosed with depression [1] - 53% of Gen Z report feelings of loneliness and failure to achieve life goals [1] - People are spending an average of 55 hours on mobile phones, 25 hours on social media, and 2 hours on video games daily, totaling 10 hours on screens [4] Addiction & Dopamine - The core issue is addiction to dopamine, a chemical released in the brain that drives individuals to choose pleasure over hard work [3][4] - Repeated actions carve neural pathways in the brain, leading to potential addiction [2] Solutions & Countermeasures - The antidote to dopamine addiction is discipline and nature [5] - Nature offers benefits such as reduced stress and anxiety, a stronger immune system, improved cognitive functions, and increased self-confidence [5] - Discipline is essential for achieving goals and building a fulfilling life [5][6] The Future & Potential - Resisting digital distractions allows individuals to maintain their humanity, which will become increasingly valuable in a digitized world [10][11] - The younger generation has the power and potential to change the world [11]

Social Media & Mental Health - Social media platforms are designed with filters and editing tools that distort reality, creating an environment where users constantly compare themselves to others [6] - The National Institute of Health reports that 87% of women compare themselves to peers, celebrities, or influencers online, highlighting comparison as an addiction [7] - Reducing social media usage by 50% can lead to significant improvements in sleep, mental health, and self-image [14] Dopamine & Addiction - Social media use releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure, making it potentially addictive [5] - Activities like exercising and spending time with family also release dopamine, but social media provides a more intense and potentially addictive dopamine rush [5] Impact on Teenagers - Teenage girls spend an average of 2 to 3 hours daily trying to create Instagram-worthy posts, raising questions about the authenticity of these moments [3] - Comparison on social media can lead to negative self-talk and feelings of self-hate, impacting self-worth [4][12] - The pressure to look perfect on social media can lead to unhealthy behaviors like calorie counting, with some individuals consuming as little as 300 calories daily, while an average active 14-year-old girl should consume around 2,000 calories [10] Solutions & Awareness - Awareness and intention, along with setting boundaries, are crucial to reducing the effects of comparison and slowing its growth [15] - Finding alternative activities, such as sports, can help individuals reconnect with their bodies and sense of self, shifting focus from social media validation to personal strength and power [12][13][14]

Firstly, I'd like to say thank you to Summer for reading off notes because I must say I haven't had time to memorize everything that I want to say. So, I'm going to be reading off notes and apologies for this in advance. Today, I want to talk about why it's important to confuse the algorithm.And I'll start with this. So, let me ask you a question. How well does your social media know you. How well does the algorithm get into your feed everything that you are interested in.If the answer is yes, it knows me s ...

The European Commission said it would examine possible restrictions on social media for children under 16 years old following similar rules planned in Australia https://t.co/bdByh38j25 ...

Once people slip into custody in China they are rarely heard from until their release. But by dictating to his lawyers, the entrepreneur has been able to post tirades, laments and calls to arms on social media inside China https://t.co/NEcvZzusL5 ...

Parents are paying kids to stay off social media. Is that a good motivator or a bribe? @juliejargon gets inside a debate that’s dividing parents https://t.co/2toiH8uCwW ...

BREAKING: 𝕏 is #1 in Finland https://t.co/18kwNecArS ...

Industry Trend - Livestream shopping combines Tupperware parties, social media, and celebrity influence [1] - The industry is experiencing a new craze driven by these combined elements [1]

How Scrubbing Your Social Media Could Backfire–And Even Hurt Your Job Prospects https://t.co/Yilx2HOeVQ https://t.co/iPADG7wkxp ...

Polarization & Its Drivers - Polarization is defined as a movement towards extremes, eroding the moderate center where common ground is typically found [2] - The increasing polarization in society is not primarily driven by policy differences, but by profound differences in emotional understanding, specifically one's affective sense of the world [6][12] - Fear, as a primal emotion, is a significant driver of these divisions, influencing individuals' sense of safety and danger [8] Mitigation Strategies: The Three C's - The industry suggests a three-pronged approach to mitigate polarization: Connect, Curate, and Cultivate [13] - Connect: Emphasizes connecting to one's ethics and values such as integrity, dignity, honesty, and kindness [13] - Curate: Advocates for curating exposure to information, particularly on social media, which is identified as a causal factor in conflict due to algorithms designed to maximize engagement through moral outrage [14][15] - Cultivate: Highlights the importance of community, compassion, curiosity, and appreciation, encouraging individuals to engage in conversations with those holding differing viewpoints [17] The Role of Social Media - Research indicates that social media is not merely correlated with conflict but is causal, driven by algorithms and corporate interests that prioritize engagement through moral outrage [14][15] - Social media algorithms are designed to keep users engaged by tapping into deep-seated fears and presenting the world as a dangerous place, rewarding moral outrage [16] Connection & Empathy - Finding emotional empathy and connecting with others on emotional realities, even without agreeing on facts, is key to navigating polarized times [18][19] - Listening first and finding common ground are crucial for meaningful connection and appreciation, even when coming from different standpoints [17][18]